Hello all having some steering problems out of my 1996 dodge ram 1500. The steering wheel has a dead spot is what i would call it. When i turn to the left it turns about a half inch before it actual starts turning. Put brand new ball joints and had it aligned just yesterday but didn't do anything. Did the adjustment on the steering box and helped a lil but still bad.
thanks

 

I once had a similar issue on my old suburban. turned out iIhad broken one of the mounting bolts and the others were just loose. Tightened them up and all was good.... till ball joints wore out... till other things, now I drive dodge. I might check your steering box mounting bolts and the slip joint fromt he steering wheel to the steering box.

 

You need to do a "dry park" test...truck off, steering wheel unlocked, have someone rock the wheel back and forth while you're under the front end looking at the tie rods and other linkage...likely source

If you have a bad tie rod, whomever did the "alignment" should be out of a job...all they did was take your money if that's the case, since it can't be aligned properly with worn parts.

 

Here's what always happened to me. When it felt like there was slop in the steering gear, it always ended up being the ball stud on the tracbar was bad. I would suggest a look there also.

Good luck.

 

is it making any noise? like a grinding? if it is, check the PS motor for fluid level. that can cause some funny things to happen to steering. Otherwise i would put my money on the tie-rods being worn out...and thats bad[:@]

 

Get this, I just did.

http://www.rocksolidramtrucksteering.com/

 

When you do the visual check you will probably see slop all over down there If they are original parts, figure out what it is and replace all at once.

 

did the rock solid steering fix work well for you?
thanks for all the help guys

 

I'm wondering if anyone else has tried that product? It's the first time I've heard of it. Here's my question,if you disconnect the steering shaft from the column wouldn't you be able to sit in the cab and rock the wheel around looking for play?. I'd like to here from other people that have used this.

I tell you guys this though, yesterday I was driving my buddies Ford. I was backing the boat and him into the lake for some good old fishing.
The steering on his truck is so perfect I couldn't believe it. I forgot what I was doing and screwed up the whole launching process. I guess I'm just used to my truck and now I realize my steering is REALLY bad. I still need to replace other steering parts and this rock solid bushing thing seems like a last resort fix to me.

I don't think the rock solid bushing will fix your problem though. Seems like a it might help fix a clunk. If it only does it when turning left I would get under there and check all the linkage like the other guys suggested.

 

Forgot to add this.... that Ford motor was all messed up. It was just the steering that was good! lol.